Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Beside the way of the gate - See Rth 4:1 note.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And Absalom rose up early,.... Every morning, to show how diligent and industrious he should be, and closely apply himself to business, was he in any office trader the king, and especially when he should be king himself; this he did to ingratiate himself into the affections of the people:

and stood beside the way of the gate; either of the king's palace, so Josephus^F4Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 1. , or of the city, where courts of judicature are held: the former seems most probable by what follows:

and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment; that had a controversy with another man on any account, and came to the king to have it decided according to law, or the rules of justice and equity:

then Absalom called unto him, and said, of what city art thou? which question he asked, only to lead on to some further discourse:

and he said, thy servant is of one of the tribes; that is, of one of the cities of the tribes of Israel, and not of a city of another nation.

Geneva Study Bible

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so], that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is] of one of the ^b tribes of Israel.

(b) That is, noting of what city or place he was.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

Early — Thereby making a shew of solicitude for the good of the public, and of every private person.

Called him — Preventing him with the offers of his assistance. And as if he were ready to make particular enquiry into the state of his cause.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so], that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is] of one of the tribes of Israel.

Ver. 2. And Absalom rose up early.] As ambition is restless, and like the crocodile, groweth as long as it liveth. Hereby, also, he would make the people believe that he was very solicitous of their good, since up so early for the purpose.

That when any man that had a controversy.] So he showeth himself, as Jerome (a) calleth Crates, Gloriae animal, popularis aurae vile mancipium, basely popular.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Rose up early; thereby making a show of self-denial, and diligence, and solicitude for the good of the public, and of every private person, as he had opportunity.

Beside the way of the gate; either, first, Of the king’s palace. Or rather, secondly, Of the city; for that was the place of judicature or judgment, for which these men came.

Absalom called unto him, preventing him with the offers of his assistance.

Of what city art thou? as if he were ready to make particular inquiry into the state of his cause.

Of one of the tribes of Israel; or rather, of one city (which word is easily understood out of the foregoing question) of the tribes of Israel, i.e. of an Israelitish city, either this or that; of such or such a city.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

2.The way of the gate — The way to the gate of the city, along which persons having complaints were wont to come. The gate of the city was the well known place of the ancient court. Ruth 4:1.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 15:2. Absalom rose up early — He accustomed himself to rise betimes in the morning, that he might make a show of solicitude for the good of the public, and of every private person. When any man came to the king for judgment — The king, it appears, reserved all weighty causes for his own hearing; and appeals were made to him from the other courts. Absalom called to him — Preventing him with the offers of his assistance. And, as if he were ready to make particular inquiry into the state of his cause, and intended, to take peculiar care of his interest, kindly inquired concerning his city, family, situation in life, and the place of his abode.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Israel. Absalom rises early for wickedness. He assumes the character of a more zealous and disinterested judge, as if to contrast his conduct with the remissness of some appointed by the king; though the Holy Ghost bears witness to the integrity of David, chap. viii. 15. Who would not be deceived by such appearances, if the arts of hypocrites had not taught us to examine things to the bottom, and to be upon our guard? If thy eye be evil, thy whole body will be darksome. [Matthew vi. 23.] The intention decides all. (Haydock)

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

rose = used to rise, &c.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. Public business in the East is always transacted early in the morning-the kings sitting an hour or more to hear causes or receive petitions in a court held anciently, and in many places still, in the open air at the city gateway; so that as those whose circumstances led them to wait on king David required to be in attendance on his morning levees, Absalom had to rise up early and stand beside the way of the gate. Through the growing infirmities of age, or the attack of a malignant sickness (Psalms 38:1-22; Psalms 39:1-13; Psalms 41:1-13), and the occupation of his government with foreign wars, many private causes had long lain undecided, and a deep feeling of discontent prevailed among the people. This dissatisfaction was artfully fomented by Absalom, who addressed himself to the various suitors, and after briefly hearing their tale, gratified everyone with a favourable opinion of his case.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

rose up

Job 24:14; Proverbs 4:16; Matthew 27:1

came

Heb. to come.

Exodus 18:14,16,26; 1 Kings 3:16-28

Reciprocal: Judges 4:5 - came up;  2 Kings 15:5 - judging;  2 Chronicles 10:7 - speak good;  Proverbs 27:14 - He that;  Daniel 11:21 - by flatteries;  1 Corinthians 2:4 - not;  James 3:6 - a world